Sponsors
Sponsors
Help for low speed control (Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 5/14/07 8:43 PM ET
We recently purchase a gemsys entry level industrial sewing machine for our company.
It's fast -- but VERY hard to control the speed. It's almost impossible to stop at an exact spot, or sew only 3 or 4 stitches.
Is this just a learning curve issue? Or could it be a problem with the machine setup or with the 1/2 HP clutch motor (I'm wondering if a different motor would give better low speed control).
We already tried changing to a smaller pulley to keep the top speed down.
It's fast -- but VERY hard to control the speed. It's almost impossible to stop at an exact spot, or sew only 3 or 4 stitches.
Is this just a learning curve issue? Or could it be a problem with the machine setup or with the 1/2 HP clutch motor (I'm wondering if a different motor would give better low speed control).
We already tried changing to a smaller pulley to keep the top speed down.
Posted on: 5/15/07 7:18 AM ET
In reply to walkman
I am not familar with the particular make/model, but I can tell you that many industrial machines are often not really user friendly (at least for me anyhow). It can take alot of practice to learn to operate it precisely.
Have you contcted the dealer to see if they can offer some advise? Allbrands sells that make, perhaps they have an idea?
Is this the pulley that you switched to?
------
Have you contcted the dealer to see if they can offer some advise? Allbrands sells that make, perhaps they have an idea?
Is this the pulley that you switched to?
------
http://blog.sew-classic.com/
www.Sew-Classic.com
www.Sew-Classic.com
Posted on: 5/15/07 7:43 AM ET
Industrial machines require some getting used to; when I got my Juki a few years ago I was totally intimidated by it. Now I get impatient sewing on anything else! My home machines seem so pokey in comparison.
You can get a different motor to slow the machine down, but another approach is to spend several days getting used to the quirks of your machine. Get a bunch of cheap fabric and just practice, practice, practice. You'll soon get a feel for the machine, and it won't be hard to stop where you want to.
Machines can have different features, but at least on mine, if I press the control plate down with my heel, it acts as a brake and the machine stops instantly. I agree that sewing just a few stitches slowly isn't easy, but it can be done.
--Welmoed
------
You can get a different motor to slow the machine down, but another approach is to spend several days getting used to the quirks of your machine. Get a bunch of cheap fabric and just practice, practice, practice. You'll soon get a feel for the machine, and it won't be hard to stop where you want to.
Machines can have different features, but at least on mine, if I press the control plate down with my heel, it acts as a brake and the machine stops instantly. I agree that sewing just a few stitches slowly isn't easy, but it can be done.
--Welmoed
------
View my sewing projects: http://thereshesews.blogspot.com
Posted on: 5/15/07 9:17 AM ET
No, it's just a smaller diameter pulley, not one that has different sizes. That multi-pulley is very pricey.
I think our machine has the brake feature, I'll have to experiment with it.
What we're doing with the machine is sewing on strips of velcro. It's the 4 stitches that we need to sew across the ends before sewing the other side that is very hard to do.
I think our machine has the brake feature, I'll have to experiment with it.
What we're doing with the machine is sewing on strips of velcro. It's the 4 stitches that we need to sew across the ends before sewing the other side that is very hard to do.
Posted on: 5/15/07 9:56 AM ET
You also learn to hand turn the wheel in precision areas. You slow as you approach then finish off with a few hand cranks of the wheel. You need to ensure that you fingers don't get caught under the belt. I have done that before and it is very scarey.
You have to establish a relationship with your machine, then you start to feel how you sew.
Also you need to line up you sewing before it gets to the needle. Aim a few inches before the needle and really use you hands to steer. You will be able to get more precise sewing with an industrial. Once you get the feel, it is hard going back.
You have to establish a relationship with your machine, then you start to feel how you sew.
Also you need to line up you sewing before it gets to the needle. Aim a few inches before the needle and really use you hands to steer. You will be able to get more precise sewing with an industrial. Once you get the feel, it is hard going back.
Posted on: 5/16/07 8:48 AM ET
Good advice.
About hand turning -- most of the time the wheel will hand turn very smoothly and with little effort. But sometimes it is very hard to turn, almost like the needle is caught on something. Sometimes the thread will break at this point.
Does anyone have any idea what causes that or if it's normal?
About hand turning -- most of the time the wheel will hand turn very smoothly and with little effort. But sometimes it is very hard to turn, almost like the needle is caught on something. Sometimes the thread will break at this point.
Does anyone have any idea what causes that or if it's normal?
Posted on: 5/16/07 10:21 AM ET
In reply to walkman
No, this isn't normal.
Could be a threading error, bad needle, or that the thread is catching on something it's not supposed to.
Where did you buy the machine?
------
Could be a threading error, bad needle, or that the thread is catching on something it's not supposed to.
Where did you buy the machine?
------
http://blog.sew-classic.com/
www.Sew-Classic.com
www.Sew-Classic.com
Posted on: 5/16/07 6:00 PM ET
Thanks for the "brake" suggestion! That has helped a lot in getting the stitch to stop where I want.
I'll have to experiment with the occassional "hitch" with the handwheel. It feels like it's snagging on something. If I run the machine for a stitch the snag is gone.
I'll have to experiment with the occassional "hitch" with the handwheel. It feels like it's snagging on something. If I run the machine for a stitch the snag is gone.
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns






